January 13, 2012 – 11:43 am
Testing opened yesterday for the Daytona 500 and Jimmie Johnson had to do it without crew chief Chad Knaus.
Knaus elected to vacation in South Africa and miss the testing, which is just find with Jimmie Johnson:
“Chad had such a great opportunity to go on a great vacation and really do something for himself. When he asked me what my opinion was, I was like ‘Buddy, if upper management clears it, I think you have to do it.’ I took that vacation and it was good for me. He needs that. So I am real happy he is taking the time.”
Knaus is known as a high-strung, tireless worker so the vacation is well deserved and will probably do him some good heading into the 2012 NASCAR season.
Johnson states the team is fully ready for the Daytona 500, and the three-day test at Daytona International Speedway is being run by engineer Greg Ives and car chief Ron Malec.
The season is long and it is hard to believe it is just about ready to start up again, but Daytona is upon us already. Don’t miss the opening race of the season and one of the crown jewels of NASCAR.
Find 2012 Daytona 500 tickets today and don’t miss a single lap!
November 30, 2011 – 1:46 pm
Mark Martin and his teammate/team co-owner Michael Waltrip’s NASCAR Sprint Cup entry will be the number 55 car for the 2012 and 2013 NASCAR seasons.
Additionally, the 52 year old Mark Martin will be behind the wheel of #55 for the 2012 Daytona 500 in February.
In case you are wondering what is the significance of number 55, it is to honor the 1955 founding of Aaron’s, Inc., which is the Michael Waltrip Racing team’s sponsor.
Martin is scheduled to drive the Daytona 500 while Waltrip takes the wheel for the remaining restrictor-plate races, plus the race at his home track, Kentucky Speedway.
When interviewed, Martin had the following to say:
“I love it, a new team, a new car and a new number. The car number means a lot to the driver. We talked about a lot of different number options, but the number 55 means a lot to Aaron’s and to Michael, so I am proud to drive it.”
Fans can find NASCAR tickets and Daytona 500 tickets in particular at Select-A-Ticket for all of the 2012 races and beyond. Selling tickets since 1978, SelectATicket.com is a trusted source for all your event ticket needs from Broadway to concerts to sports and even family shows like the circus or popular ice shows.
November 3, 2011 – 2:06 pm
For the first time in history, the pace car for the Daytona 500 will be a non-GM, Ford or Chrysler vehicle. The 2012 Daytona 500 pace car will be a Toyota Camry SE.
According to TheWeeklyDriver.com, “The Camry Pace Car is based a 2012 Camry SE, which features a 268 horsepower V6. It is specially equipped with Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric tires mounted on BBS RS 8.5 x 19 wheels, a StopTech Big Brake Kit, TRD custom stainless steel exhaust and Tein adjustable suspension. Safety equipment includes a roll cage, four-point Simpson racing seat belts, Whelen LFL Liberty LED lightbar, and an on-board fire extinguisher.”
The 2012 Daytona 500 hopefully will not be similar to the 2011 race in terms of seeing the two-car draft, although NASCAR official understand that fans are unlikely to fall in love with that racing style.
The two-car racing is a novelty that has worn out its welcome with most NASCAR fans.
We will have to wait and see but either way, the Daytona 500 is a symbolic race that NASCAR season has begun and it is a great way to break out of the winter doldrums with a trip to sunny Daytona, FL for fans outside the area.
For 2012 Daytona 500 tickets and information, head over to SelectATicket.com and find yourself some great seats for a great American race!
September 30, 2011 – 10:57 am
The 2012 Daytona 500 will be held on February 26. This is a change from past years when the race would be held the previous weekend in February.
This was done so to accomodate a request from Fox Sports, Fox wants NASCAR to condense the opening few weeks of the season.
Surprisingly to fans, it takes a team of approximately 40 workers nearly one year to construct the official NASCAR schedule. Different concerns and considerations have to be taken into account before finalizing the schedule.
They have already started work on the 2013 schedule just to give you an idea of how much planning goes into constructing the season.
Just as NASCAR wants to have the schedule completed early, fans are encouraged to order their Daytona 500 tickets well in advance as well.
The 2011 Daytona 500 started off the NASCAR season with a rare first-time career victory for Trevor Bayne.
Little did we know that the NASCAR season would proceed to see more first-time winners in several races to follow Daytona.
The Southern 500 was won by Regan Smith.
The Coke Zero 400 was won by David Ragan.
The Brickyard 400 was won by Paul Menard.
The Good Sam RV Insurance 500 Winner yesterday at Pocono Raceway, while not his 1st career victory, was won by Brad Keselowski on a broken ankle suffered earlier in the week — now THAT is commitment!
Overall, NASCAR has seen 14 different winners through the 21 races this season, really giving you the feeling that any driver can win on any given day. This is the sort of parity and unpredictability that makes races exciting for fans and drivers alike. Everyone always has a chance to win but this year that seems to be a truer statement than ever before.
Much like the tracks they drive on, this season has had its share of twists and turns and it certainly isn’t over yet.
For all NASCAR tickets and even 2012 Daytona 500 tickets, visit SelectATicket.com and see this great spectator sport live and in person!
2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne returned to the site of his greatest triumph when NASCAR held the Coke Zero 400 on July 2, 2011.
While the young driver seemingly came from nowhere at the end of the Daytona 500 to snatch the victory, during the Coke Zero 400, also held at Daytona International Speedway, Trevor Bayne crashed on just the 5th lap in his number 21 car.
After 10 races at the top level of NASCAR, the Daytona 500 win still stands as Bayne’s only top 10 finish, but oh what a finish it was!
Still only 20 years old, the promising young driver has several years to work on his craft and we expect him to continue to develop and grow into one of the top drivers on the circuit eventually.
While some may be quick to say he’s just a flash in the pan and got lucky that day, why not come out his next race at Daytona and see what he’s made of? That’s right, 2012 Daytona 500 tickets are already available and as any true NASCAR fan knows, these tickets can be hard to come by once the date draws closer. So lock in now and be there for the 2012 Daytona 500!
HDTheater has announced that NASCAR will be coming to their screens as the original action-packed special, DAYTONA 500: THE INSIDE STORY will make its debut.
Daytona 500: The Inside Story is an hour-long documentary produced by award-winning NASCAR Media Group. The documentary will present NASCAR fans with an exclusive look back at the memorable 2011 Daytona 500, the 53rd running of the most famous race in NASCAR.
Marking the 10th anniversary of Dale Earnhardt’s death during the 2001 Daytona 500, the 2011 Daytona 500 was an emotion-filled day for race fans everywhere and every bit of it was caught on camera.
Relive the excitement & the glory and get an inside glimpse at NASCAR like you’ve never seen it before with this unique look at the Daytona 500.
Don’t just watch films or see the race on television, order 2012 Daytona 500 tickets today at SelectATicket.com and be there in person. The tailgating, the pits, the trailers and the race itself — attending the Daytona 500 is the best experience a NASCAR fan could have!
National ticket broker SelectATicket.com has 2012 Daytona 500 tickets for sale. Don’t miss a single lap of the action as the 2012 NASCAR season kicks off at Daytona International Speedway on February 26, 2012.
The Daytona International Motor Speedway seats 168,000 fans and every year it is jam-packed with Daytona 500 ticket holders, do not be left out and resign to just watching it on television. Be there and experience the race in person, order 2012 Daytona 500 tickets now.
See who will win the 2012 Daytona 500, you never know what can happen, that is part of what makes NASCAR a great spectator sport. Anybody can sneak up and seal the victory. In 2011 everyone remembers young Trevor Bayne taking advantage when the opportunity presented itself to him and went on to become the youngest Daytona 500 winner ever!
There’s more history to be made in the 2012 race, be a part of the excitement and order 2012 Daytona 500 tickets now.
This year’s Daytona 500 weekend was a huge success for both race itself and NASCAR in general. This year’s race boasted solid attendance and good TV ratings which both helped International Speedway Corp. exceed its earning expectations for the start of the year.
Following Daytona, attendance has been better than last year for 4 of the 5 other races compared to the same races at the same raceways in 2010.
Repaving the Daytona International Speedway was a $20 million project which became top news story and belief is that attendance increased as a result. Additionally, NASCAR fans almost universally agree the new surface makes for better racing at the sport’s most legendary venue, the Daytona International Speedway.
You may have missed this year’s already but don’t miss out on the excitement next season when the 2012 Daytona 500 kicks off another year of racing for NASCAR fans. Find your 2012 Daytona 500 tickets now!
Freelance writer Thomas Bowles created quite a stir across the internet and social media outlets when he claimed Sports Illustrated fired him for clapping in the press box following Trevor Bayne’s surprise victory in the 2011 Daytona 500.
As found on InsideLine.com, Sports Illustrated Vice President of Communications Scott Novak is quoted as saying “Tom Bowles is no longer a freelance contributor to SI.com. We will not comment on the nature of the offense or offenses that contributed to this decision.”
The nature of freelancing dictates that there is no permanent role and Sports Illustrated is free to employ or terminate anyone they chose, just like any other company. If there is a history of conduct unbecoming of SI’s long-standing reputation, or if this was just a single incident, it is their decision to no longer use Mr. Bowles’ services. Of course it does sound a bit harsh to let him go for applauding Bayne’s victory, but again it is their choice. The public outcry is more from a fan’s viewpoint than that of a business person, which is understandable.
The debate rages on regarding journalistic ethics and just how “removed” from the story can they be when following an exhilirating sport, but in the end SI did what they felt is best for their company. Certainly the talented Mr. Bowles will land on his feet after this if he has not already, the attention he’s gathered has certainly attracted some folks in need of a good writer.
While writers may or may not be able to cheer at the Daytona 500, we are positive that you can! Don’t miss the race next year as it will be kicking off another great season of NASCAR racing, find 2012 Daytona 500 tickets today at Select-A-Ticket.
Freelance writer Thomas Bowles created a firestorm on the Internet and Twitter when he said he was fired from Sports Illustrated for clapping in the press box after Trevor Bayne’s surprise win at the Daytona 500.
